Namibia marks second Genocide Remembrance Day, calls for German acknowledgment and reparations
via The Namibian4 min read
Namibia observed its second Genocide Remembrance Day, reflecting on the 1904-1908 genocide and emphasizing the need for remembrance, truth-telling, and restorative justice. The day honors victims and seeks to ensure the truth of the events is not forgotten. Central to the commemoration is the call for the German government to fully acknowledge its responsibility for committing genocide against Namibians, including the Ovaherero, Nama, Damara, and 鈮燦khoen San peoples. While some steps have been taken, a sincere public declaration and full reparations, agreed upon with all Namibian representative bodies, are deemed necessary for Namibia to accept an apology and extend forgiveness. The joint declaration of June 2021 is considered contested and incomplete by many Namibians, leading to calls for all stakeholders, including the Namibian government, Nama Traditional Leaders Association, Ovaherero Traditional Authority, and the German government, to return to negotiations. Affected Namibian communities, often represented by traditional authorities, continue to challenge the government's sole control over negotiations. International bodies like the United Nations and the African Union generally advocate for the meaningful participation of identifiable victim communities in such negotiations. A genuinely inclusive round-table process is urged to renegotiate the terms of the joint declaration, ensuring Germany explicitly recognizes the genocide and agrees to reparations reflecting the a
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
Must ReadThe African Development Bank has announced a N$5.6 billion investment in Namibia's technical and vocational education and training TVET system and artificial intelligence. This funding aims to modernize vocational institutions, establish a National Artificial Intelligence Institute, and create 15,000 workplace opportunities for young people by 2030. While this is a positive development, there are calls for transparency and accountability, particularly regarding job creation. Concerns have been raised that the 15,000 jobs will be meaningless if private companies are not in a position to hire graduates, which is linked to the fair allocation of state tenders. The article also highlights the need for Information and Communication Technology Minister Emma Theofelus to accelerate the development of laws and regulations for artificial intelligence, noting that policy progress in this area has been slow.
Must ReadNamibia's Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy has refuted claims that the country lost its bid to acquire a stake in De Beers, labeling circulating information as "misleading and incorrect." Mines minister Modestus Amutse stated that the government would release accurate information through official channels. This follows reports from Botswana's minister in the presidency, Moeti Mohwasa, who informed parliament that Anglo American had selected the Global Diamond Consortium as its preferred bidder for De Beers. Mohwasa mentioned the consortium proposed including Angola and Namibia in the deal, though members were not disclosed. Namibia had previously expressed interest in a De Beers stake after Anglo American decided to divest as part of its restructuring. The Namibian government believes ownership would enhance its position and influence in the global diamond value chain, crucial to its economy. Speculation about a UAE investor's involvement in the consortium has resurfaced, but Amutse previously denied any partnership with such an investor, cautioning against speculation during ongoing negotiations. A detailed update from the government is anticipated.
The Independent Patriots for Change IPC has accused Swapo of exploiting poverty and individuals' personal circumstances to undermine opposition parties. This accusation follows the decision of former IPC Erongo regional mobiliser Rudolf Kahingunga to rejoin Swapo, alongside former Swakopmund mayor Blasius !Goraseb and over 15 other individuals, many of whom were previously affiliated with the IPC. IPC Erongo regional chairperson Aloisius Kangulu stated that while citizens have the right to choose their political affiliation, Kahingunga, who held an influential leadership position, should have utilized the party's internal structures to address his concerns. Kahingunga resigned from the IPC on July 7, citing a departure from the party's founding principles and a concentration of decision-making among a few individuals. Kangulu rejected these claims, suggesting that Kahingunga's actions were influenced by "material considerations" and represented a "profound betrayal" of the party's mission. He further alleged that Swapo has historically used poverty and personal circumstances to weaken opposition parties, though he affirmed respect for every citizen's constitutional right to political association. Despite these defections, Kangulu maintained that the IPC remains united and resilient. Meanwhile, !Goraseb stated his decision to join Swapo was made after careful reflection, believing he could best contribute to addressing national challenges like unemployment, poverty, and inequa